Recognizing Sri Lanka’s potential in the organic agriculture sector and its’ importance for food security, the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Export Development Board (EDB) have launched the Organic Agriculture Webinar Series: one-of-a-kind, accessible and educational video episodes that explore a variety of topics including organic certification, organic practices and successful organic farming methods across Sri Lanka. The series, facilitated by local and international experts, will support local producers, sellers and exporters who are looking to expand their businesses to meet demands of the local and European markets.
The Organic Agriculture webinar series falls under the project “Support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Organic Agriculture Sector in Sri Lanka” funded by the EU and BMZ and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Since 2021, the project supports organic food producers in Sri Lanka to access new markets in the EU and provide private sector investment opportunities. The programme is collaborating with national institutions such as the EDB to address necessary regulatory and policy changes for the domestic organic food sector. Support is also provided to the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board (AAIB) to digitalise insurance services in the agri-food sector. The overall aim is to increase the share of Sri Lanka’s national organic market through improved standards, digitalisation, investment and increased consumer demand.
Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, Jenny Correia Nunes said: “The European Union is promoting inclusive rural growth through a more productive, sustainable and resilient agriculture industry in Sri Lanka for years now. Through this project we encourage better organic agriculture practices, more investments and exports. Our support to the agriculture sector will continue and we are committed to provide much needed assistance in times of crisis.”
Chairman of the EDB, Suresh de Mel, said that “The collaboration of the public and private sector and the donor community is important in promoting organic exports. Their assistance will help strengthen the private sector and ensure technical support to streamline policies in developing the organic agriculture sector in Sri Lanka.”
